Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 119: Triple Quickfire 3

Chapter 119: Triple Quickfire 3

Benjamin took a quick glance upfield before threading a long pass to Beerens on the right wing.

[Here they come again,] the first commentator said, his voice rising. [You can sense the urgency]

Beerens controlled the ball on the run, his pace forcing the Roda JC left-back into a retreat.

With a sharp cut inside, he skipped past a sliding challenge and laid the ball off to Adam Maher, who was waiting at the edge of the box.

[Adam now, in a dangerous position,] the second commentator chimed in. [What will he do here?]

Adam took a touch, feinted a shot, and then slipped a clever pass into the path of Benjamin, who had darted into the box unnoticed.

The youngster let the ball run across his body before hitting it first time with his right foot, aiming low toward the far corner.

[Benjamin with the strike—] the first commentator started.

The curled shot looked destined for the net, but the Roda JC goalkeeper reacted with stunning agility.

He dove full stretch to his left, his fingertips grazing the ball and sending it spinning toward the goal line.

[Oh, what a save! Is it over the line?] the second commentator shouted, the tension palpable.

The ball rolled agonizingly close to crossing the goal line, but the goalkeeper scrambled back, diving to parry it out just in time for a corner.

[Unbelievable! He’s kept it out somehow!] the first commentator exclaimed. [That was millimeters from being 4-0!]

The crowd groaned, and the collective gasp giving way to a ripple of applause for the goalkeeper’s heroics.

On the sidelines, Gertjan Verbeek clapped his hands, urging his players to keep the pressure on.

[You have to admire that from the goalkeeper,] the second commentator said, his tone filled with respect. [He’s been under siege all night, but he’s still giving everything to keep his team in this]

The replay showed just how close it was. The ball had spun perilously along the line before being secured.

[Look at that,] the first commentator said, his voice tinged with disbelief. [You couldn’t get any closer without it being a goal. What a moment]

Benjamin crouched briefly with hands on his knees, before jogging back to the corner flag. His expression remained focused, but the frustration was evident in the way he tugged at his sleeves.

[Benjamin’s been a constant thorn in Roda JC’s side tonight,] the second commentator said. [He’s relentless, and you can see how badly he wants that goal]

[This game isn’t over,] the first commentator said firmly. [AZ Alkmaar are hungry for more, and you can bet they’ll be knocking on that door again in no time]

Benjamin placed the ball carefully at the corner flag, stepping back as he scanned the box.

The Roda JC players crowded the area, jostling for position with AZ Alkmaar’s towering center-backs.

Fweeee!

The referee blew his whistle, signaling for the corner to proceed.

[Here we go, another set-piece for AZ Alkmaar,] the first commentator said, anticipation thick in his voice. [Benjamin’s delivery has been spot on since the start of the match. Let’s see what they can do with this one]

Benjamin’s approach was filled with intent. He raised his hands to signal his teammates and then swung his right foot cleanly through the ball, sending it arching high into the 18 yard box.

The ball hung in the air for a moment with a perfect trajectory before curling toward the penalty spot were the players pushed and shoved at each other.

[It’s a dangerous ball! Right in the mixer!] the second commentator exclaimed.

The 18-yard box turned into pure chaos. The players leapt, shoved, and collided, their arms flailing as the ball descended.

Viergever rose highest to meet the ball, but his glancing header didn’t get the clean contact he wanted.

The ball ricocheted off the back of a Roda JC defender, looping awkwardly into the air.

[It’s still loose! Anyone’s ball for the taking!] the first commentator shouted, the tension in his voice mirrored by the crowd’s roars.

Multiple bodies scrambled, kicking and shoving inside the 18 yard box as the ball bobbled unpredictably.

A desperate clearance from a Roda JC fullback struck another defender which was his teammate, square in the chest, sending the ball spiraling toward the near post.

[What is happening in there?! It’s absolute mayhem!] the second commentator said, half-laughing at the scene unfolding.

A flailing attempt by Altidore to hook the ball goalward only added to the confusion. The ball deflected again, this time rolling toward the edge of the box where Benjamin lingered, forgotten amidst the commotion.

[Wait a minute—Benjamin’s still there!] the first commentator pointed out.

Benjamin pounced. He took one quick step forward and intercepted the ball just before it could trickle out of bounds for another corner.

With a deft flick of his right foot, he danced around his marker, creating enough space to whip the ball back into the crowded box.

[Benjamin’s not done yet! What a cross back in!] the second commentator shouted.

The cross was low and fast, skimming past a cluster of legs before finding Martens, who swung a powerful left foot at it.

The shot was deflected once more by a sprawling defender, the ball spinning wildly into the air and landing right in the goalkeeper’s hands.

[And the goalkeeper finally has it!] the first commentator sighed in relief. [That was like watching a pinball machine in there!]

[What a ridiculous sequence,] the second commentator added, laughing. [Credit to Roda JC’s defense for somehow keeping that out, but my word, that was pure madness!]

Benjamin jogged back to his position, shaking his head with a wry smile. The fans were still buzzing, a mix of laughter and disbelief rippling through the stands.

[You’ve got to love moments like that,] the first commentator said. [It’s not always pretty, but it’s certainly entertaining!]

[Absolutely,] the second commentator agreed. [But you have to wonder—how much longer can Roda JC hold out against this relentless pressure?]